Notes

Elderly Heart Conditions
The changes that happen with normal aging can increase a person's risk of heart disease. This includes a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries that can cause high blood pressure, and stiffening of the large arteries that can lead to heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

The chambers of the heart increase in size, but the amount of blood that each can hold decreases and it fills more slowly. Also, the receptors that monitor the blood pressure become less sensitive with age.
High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a common problem in elderly people. It puts them at a higher risk of heart disease, kidney damage, and stroke. Medical alarm It may also cause symptoms such as headaches, cold hands and feet, a dry cough, fatigue, vision problems, confusion and heartbeat changes. High blood pressure can be treated by avoiding salt and fat, losing weight, exercising, eating fruits and vegetables, reducing stress, drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking and getting plenty of sleep. There are several types of medication that can be used to help lower blood pressure, such as vasodilators, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, which all work by relaxing constricted blood vessels.


Doctors no longer consider high blood pressure to be a normal part of aging. They usually start medications when average systolic readings are above 140/90, with lower cutoffs for those with additional cardiovascular risk factors. It's important that seniors keep track of their blood pressure at home and report any unusual changes to their doctor.
Heart Murmurs

A heart murmur is an extra sound that occurs when blood flows through your heart. It is sometimes there at birth (congenital). It may be a result of narrowing of the mitral and tricuspid valves, a hole in your heart wall (septal defect) or backward flow of blood through the pulmonary or aortic valves. Murmurs that occur during a heartbeat (systolic) are called ejection murmurs or systolic murmurs, and those occurring between beats (diastolic) are called intruder murmurs or holosystolic murmurs.

Usually, heart murmurs are not serious and do not need treatment. Your healthcare provider can hear them with a stethoscope during a physical exam. Some may need further testing to find out what is causing them, such as chest X-rays and an echocardiogram. If you are worried about a heart murmur, your doctor can refer you to a specialist, known as a cardiologist. Medications and surgery can treat some types of heart murmurs. Others require only careful observation and regular monitoring to be sure they do not worsen.
Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. It causes the upper chambers (the atria) of your heart to beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers (the ventricles). When blood pools in your atria, it raises your risk for blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related problems.

In A-fib, electrical signals that control your heartbeat aren't working properly. This makes your heart a less efficient pump. People with A-fib have a five times greater chance of having a stroke than people without it.

A-fib is more common in older people. It can be triggered by things like illness, alcohol or drug abuse, or doing strenuous exercise. It's also more likely to happen in people with a heart disease like heart valve problems or coronary artery disease.

A-fib can be paroxysmal, meaning that it comes and goes. Or it can be persistent, lasting for days or more. The treatment for long-standing persistent A-fib is to restore a normal rhythm.
Edema

Edema is swelling that occurs in certain parts of the body. It can be painful and usually affects the hands, feet, ankles, legs, or arms. It often happens when you have been sitting or standing for a long time. It also can happen when you are very hot or when you eat too much salt. It can be a sign of a serious health condition and should be checked by your doctor.

It is more common in pregnant women and older people. It can also be a side effect of some medications, such as blood pressure medicines and pain medicines. dementia gps tracker It may be caused by a liver, kidney, or thyroid disease, or congestive heart failure. It can also be caused by a tumor or infection. Your doctor might recommend a type of medication called a diuretic (say: di-yoo-RET-tik) to help relieve edema. help me i've fallen These drugs make you urinate more, which helps get rid of excess fluid.

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